Shot carrier with securing hooks and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, a shot carrier includes a bottom, a circumferential sidewall joined to the bottom at one end, and forming an opening at an opposite end, and a lid having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lid being mateable with the circumferential sidewall and configured and arranged to cover the opening, the lid having at least two hooks facing different directions disposed on the upper surface.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to devices for storing consumables. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to promotional attachable shot carriers.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Promotional items are often given to customers to encourage them to make a purchase or to return to a retailer, venue restaurant, bar, etc. Potential customers typically do not like to receive promotional items and carry them in their hands. For this reason, many promotional items are discarded once received and fail to serve their purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In some embodiments, a shot carrier includes a bottom, a circumferential sidewall joined to the bottom at one end, and forming an opening at an opposite end, and a lid having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lid being mateable with the circumferential sidewall and configured and arranged to cover the opening, the lid having at least two hooks facing different directions disposed on the upper surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed devices and methods are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a shot carrier according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the shot carrier of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a right-side elevational view of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a left-side elevational view of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a right front perspective view thereof with the lid in an opened condition; and

FIGS. 8-10 are schematic side views showing the use of the shot carrier.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that these drawings depict only some embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Despite the various improvements that have been made to promotional items, conventional devices suffer from some shortcomings as described, above. There therefore is a need for further improvements to the devices, systems, and methods of manufacturing and using promotional items, such as shot carriers. Among other advantages, the present disclosure may address one or more of these needs.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate one example of a shot carrier 100. Shot carrier 100 may comprise a plastic and may be formed via injection molding, or other suitable techniques. Shot carrier 100 may include a base or bottom wall 102, a circumferentially extending sidewall 104 and a lid 106 joined to the sidewall via a hinge 105. Shot carrier 100 may define an interior volume 110 capable of receiving and/or storing food, liquid, promotional item, etc. In at least some examples, shot carrier may contain a dry cocktail kit with ingredients to create a cocktail by adding alcohol, water, and/or other ingredients. In at least some examples, shot carrier 100 is unitarily formed.

Lid 106 may include a lower rim 107 for coupling with the circumferential wall, and an upper surface having a plurality of molded hooks 120,122. In some examples, the two hooks 120,122 face different directions (e.g., they may be oriented in opposite directions or face one another). Hooks 120,122 may be formed of a same shape and/or size. Alternatively, hooks 120,122 may include a larger hook and a smaller hook, the smaller hook being fully nested within, at least partially nested within, or at least partially covered by, the larger hook. Because the two hooks are plastic, they may flex or laterally bend to separate from one another, and return to their nested configuration when an external force is released. Hooks 120, 122 may define a cavity 125 therebetween for receiving a portion of an item to be coupled to the shot carrier.

FIGS. 8-10 show the shot carrier 100 during use. In this example, a bracelet or lanyard strap “S” may be removably coupled to the shot carrier via hooks 120,122. Specifically, strap “S” may be advanced in direction “A” toward the hooks 120,122 and the user may separate the hooks 120,122 from one another by pushing them laterally in the directions of arrows “B” to access the cavity 125. Once strap “S” is in place, the two hooks may be allowed to return toward one another, the hooks being capable of securely coupling the strap to the shot carrier 100. Alternatively, the strap “S” may be slid between the two hooks and brought between the two hooks. When an upward force in the direction of arrow “C” is applied to the lanyard strap “S”, the hooks will retain the connection between the strap and the shot carrier. In use, a bracelet or lanyard strap may be removably coupled to a shot carrier and given away for free, or at a discount, to a customer or potential customer. The customer may receive or consume the contents of the shot carrier and keep the lanyard or bracelet for use at a later date. When the customer returns to the same seller, for example, they may discard the shot carrier and present the lanyard or bracelet to receive an additional discount or promotion or to show that they are a returning customer.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

It will be appreciated that the various dependent claims and the features set forth therein can be combined in different ways than presented in the initial claims. It will also be appreciated that the features described in connection with individual embodiments may be shared with others of the described embodiments. 

We claim:
 1. A shot carrier, comprising: a bottom; a circumferential sidewall joined to the bottom at one end, and forming an opening at an opposite end; and a lid having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lid being mateable with the circumferential sidewall and configured and arranged to cover the opening, the lid having at least two hooks facing different directions disposed on the upper surface.
 2. The shot carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least two hooks comprises two hooks.
 3. The shot carrier of claim 2, wherein the two hooks include a larger hook and a smaller hook.
 4. The shot carrier of claim 2, wherein the two hooks include two hooks of an identical shape and size.
 5. The shot carrier of claim 2, wherein the two hooks include are at least partially nested within one another.
 6. The shot carrier of claim 2, wherein the two hooks are oriented in opposite directions.
 7. The shot carrier of claim 2, wherein the two hooks face one another.
 8. The shot carrier of claim 2, wherein the two hooks define a cavity therebetween.
 9. The shot carrier of claim 2, wherein the two hooks are flexible.
 10. The shot carrier of claim 1, wherein the circumferential sidewall is tapered to form a conical receptacle.
 11. The shot carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least two hooks, the bottom, the sidewall and the lid comprise a plastic.
 12. A shot carrier, comprising: a bottom; a circumferential sidewall joined to the bottom at one end, and forming an opening at an opposite end; and a lid having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lid being mateable with the circumferential sidewall and configured and arranged to cover the opening, the lid having two hooks facing one another disposed on the upper surface.
 13. The shot carrier of claim 12, wherein the two hooks include a larger hook and a smaller hook.
 14. The shot carrier of claim 12, wherein the two hooks include two hooks of an identical shape and size.
 15. The shot carrier of claim 12, wherein the two hooks include are partially nested within one another.
 16. The shot carrier of claim 12, wherein the two hooks face one another.
 17. The shot carrier of claim 12, wherein the two hooks define a cavity therebetween.
 18. The shot carrier of claim 12, wherein the two hooks are flexible.
 19. The shot carrier of claim 12, wherein the circumferential sidewall is tapered to form a conical receptacle. 